Thompson Accepts Coaching Position at San Bernardino
5/22/2012 7:37:00 AM
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"I'd like to thank University President Dr. J. Michael Ortiz, Vice President for Student Affairs Doug Freer, Director of Athletics Brian Swanson and Associate A.D. Tracee Passeggi for providing me with the opportunity to serve as the head coach here at Cal Poly Pomona," Thompson said. "With the hard work of the student-athletes and my assistant coaches, the Broncos achieved success and the groundwork is set for that success to continue."
During Thompson's three years at CPP, the Broncos compiled marks of 29-22-4 overall while going 24-20-4 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play. Competing out of the league's South Division, CPP nearly secured postseason berths in 2010 and 2011.
In 2010, the Broncos totaled 28 points in CCAA action while the fourth and final playoff spot went to Cal State Dominguez Hills with 29 points. This past fall, Cal State Stanislaus snagged the last berth at 29 points while CPP finished with 26.
Those two seasons featured the spectacular play of Luis Gonzalez, the focal point of the Broncos' offense and a two-time NCAA Division II All-American who now plays professionally for the L.A. Blues.
"Coach Thompson has provided outstanding leadership to our men's soccer program and restored it into a consistent winner, both on the field and in the classroom," Freer said. "His genuine enthusiasm for the campus and his student-athletes will be greatly missed."
Before Thompson, the feat of three-straight winning seasons had only been attained once in program history. Carlos Juarez led the Broncos to a similarly impressive stretch from 1997 through 1999.
"We wish Lance and his family all the best," Swanson said. "His passionate support and leadership of his student-athletes was on display every day and his professional approach was enjoyable to work with."
Prior to his three-year stint at CPP, Thompson spent two seasons as the Director of Soccer at Notre Dame de Namur. He led the Argonauts to a 14-3-3 overall record in 2008 and the team went on to win the Pacific West Conference title.
The 2008 NDNU squad posted 12 shutouts and allowed a goals against average of 0.62 in its 20 games. The Argonauts gave Thompson his 100th career victory against Chaminade and established an NCAA Division II record with three goals in a 2-minute, 10-second span. The Argos went 24-12-4 in his two seasons at the helm.
Thompson began his coaching career at NAIA Alliant International University in San Diego. He spent five seasons - 1999 through 2003 - as head coach where his teams earned an overall record of 57-32-3. His teams reached the NAIA playoffs twice and finished with top 25 seasons in 2001 (No. 25) and 2003 (No. 7).
Thompson moved on to Holy Names University where he spent two seasons - 2004 and 2005 - at the Oakland-based university. His 2004 squad earned an NAIA Tournament berth and his 2005 team finished second in the California Pacific Conference regular season. He also served as the university's athletic director. His teams went 20-14-5.
He accepted an assistant coaching position at NCAA Division II Midwestern State in 2006. In his one season, MSU captured the Southwestern Soccer Conference regular season and tournament titles, finished with an 18-2-2 overall record and reached the NCAA Tournament Round of 16.
In 12 years as a head coach, Thompson owns an overall record of 130-80-16. He will begin his duties at CSUSB on June 4. Thompson, a native of Bel Air, Md., is a 1995 graduate of Frostburg State University, located in Frostburg, Md.
From San Berdo:
5/21/2012 3:29:00 PM
SAN BERNARDINO – Lance Thompson, who spent
the last three seasons as head coach at Cal Poly Pomona, has accepted
and will become the Coyotes' men's soccer coach, Director of Athletics
Dr. Kevin Hatcher said Monday.Thompson replaces Noah Kooiman, who stepped down from the helm after eight seasons this spring.
“It is not an easy decision to leave Cal Poly Pomona where we achieved success and the groundwork is set for that success to continue,'' Thompson said. “Over the last few years, Cal State San Bernardino has established itself as a nationally recognized program and one that has competed at the highest level. Those who follow college soccer understand this is a program that is on the brink of great things. I could not pass this opportunity and I am up for the challenge.''
Thompson led the Broncos to winning seasons in each of his three seasons – a feat accomplished only one other time in CPP history. This past season, senior Luis Gonzalez picked up his second consecutive All-American honor and was named the CCAA's Offensive Player of the Year.
Thompson, 130-80-16 overall in 12 seasons as a head coach, brings successful experience at four different schools with postseason success at Alliant International, Holy Names University and Notre Dame de Namur. Four of his squads have played in the postseason, capped by NDNU's NCAA tourney appearance in 2008.
“It became evident during our search that Lance has proven in his 12 years as a head coach that he has all the essentials that we desired,'' Hatcher said. “His student-athletes succeed on the field and in the classroom and his peers know that his teams compete and compete well, especially in the best soccer conference in the country. He has the necessary intangibles to take our men's soccer program to the next level.''
Prior to CPP, Thompson spent two seasons as the Director of Soccer at Notre Dame de Namur, located in the Bay Area community of Belmont. He led the 2008 Argonauts to a 14-3-3 overall record and won the Pacific West Conference Championship. His team posted 12 shutouts and allowed just 0.62 goals against average in its 20 games.
Thompson began his coaching career at NAIA Alliant International University in San Diego. He spent five seasons as head coach (1999-2003) where his teams earned an overall record of 57-32-3. His teams reached the NAIA playoffs twice and finished with top 25 seasons in 2001 (No. 25) and 2003 (No. 7).
He moved on to Holy Names University where he spent two seasons at the Oakland-based university (2004-2005) and enjoyed a 20-14-5 record. His 2004 squad earned an NAIA Tournament berth and his 2005 team finished second in the California Pacific Conference regular season. He also served as the university's athletic director.
He spent 2006 as an assistant coach at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. MSU captured the Southwestern Soccer Conference regular season and tournament titles, finished with an 18-2-2 overall record and reached the NCAA Round of 16.
A Bel Air, Md., native, Thompson is a 1995 graduate of Frostburg (Md.) State University. He and his wife Jennifer reside in Lake Elsinore.
Thompson will begin his duties at CSUSB on June 4.
More from San Berdo:
Kooiman steps down as Coyotes men's soccer coach
Coyotes coach led team to consecutive NCAA tournament appearances
Noah Kooiman led the Coyotes to record-setting seasons in 2009 and 2010.
4/5/2012 12:33:00 PM
SAN BERNARDINO -- Noah Kooiman,
who led the Coyotes' men's soccer team to consecutive NCAA Tournament
appearances in 2009 and 2010, has announced his resignation as head
coach effective immediately after eight years at the helm.“The past eight years have been the absolute highlight of my professional career, but the time is right for me to pursue other professional opportunities,'' Kooiman said. “To play a role in the development of both young men and women has been my privilege. We've enjoyed great success and helped put Coyote soccer on the national map. I am and will always be a Coyote.''
Kooiman was head coach for both the men's and women's programs in 2004 until the programs were split in 2007. He coached the Coyotes to their first-ever consecutive NCAA appearances (2009 and 2010) and was named the CCAA Coach of the Year in 2010. Under his tutelage, the Coyotes were honored with their first All-Americans in the sport in GK Tanner Olinger and F Obi Agwu in 2010. The Coyotes set the school record for most CCAA wins in a season (twice 11 in 2009 and 2010). On Oct. 26, 2010, the Coyotes were honored with their best-ever top-25 ranking at No. 3.
“I'd like to thank Noah for his hours of hard work and dedication to the women and men he coached in his eight years at CSUSB,'' Director of Athletics Dr. Kevin Hatcher said. “Noah built the men's soccer program into a nationally-recognized program and we're on solid ground because of his efforts. There can be no doubt that he has left the program in a much better place.''
Kooiman leaves as the second-winningest coach in Coyote history with a 65-81-13 overall record. Prior to his appointment he was the assistant men's coach for three seasons (2001-03).
Kooiman is a 1993 graduate of Cal State Fullerton where he played soccer and was team captain in his junior and senior seasons. He also served as head men's coach at San Bernardino Valley College in 2001.
Kooiman played two years of professional soccer with the Los Angeles Cobras and L.A. Salsa.
Hatcher said the university will conduct a national search.
